Waste: ReImagined

ZahnTech Repurposes Waste for a Permanent Fencing Solution

LENNOX, S.D. — "Give it better than it was given, and leave it better than it was left." That’s the guiding principle behind ZahnTech, a company transforming plastic waste into durable, high-performance fence posts.

“At ZahnTech, we’re not just talking about recycling — we’re redefining it,” said Dan Elliott, head of marketing and sales. “Most recycling has felt like an empty promise, with plastics ending up in landfills. We’re changing that. Every piece of plastic we take in is transformed into something stronger and longer-lasting. Our goal is to inspire new ways to think about waste.”

ZahnTech is working with students at Black Hills State University to promote awareness of sustainable recycling through a budding initiative called Waste: ReImagined. “We aim to engage schools, governments, and businesses to rethink waste management,” Elliott explained.

The company’s story began four years ago when founder Avery Zahn turned leftover plastic from a previous business into experimental fence posts. Today, ZahnTech recycles all types of plastic, diverting waste from landfills into practical products. They’ve partnered with local dairies to take in all types of plastic waste from lick tanks to barrels and drums.

“We can recycle what others can’t,” Elliott said. “Everything gets repurposed.”

ZahnTech’s process grinds plastic into pieces, heats it, and shapes it into posts. Their latest generation is 10 times stronger than wood and 20 times more durable, with no need for insulation. “You can even screw into them directly for electric fences,” Elliott said.

The company is working with South Dakota State University’s civil engineering department to confirm their posts' strength. “Farmers ask, ‘Can my cow knock it over?’ Soon, we’ll have hard data to show just how tough these posts really are.”

ZahnTech’s posts come in several sizes, including 4"x4"x8' square and 6"x8' round. Each 4"x4" post repurposes 1,600 water bottles or 680 milk jugs. "We’re getting plastic from all over the U.S.," Elliott said. “With landfills filling up, our process offers a real solution.”

The company’s service also saves money for businesses. “We don’t pay for plastic, but companies don’t have to pay landfill fees either,” Elliott explained. “Farmers love that they can drop off truckloads, and we’ll take it with no hassle.”

ZahnTech’s posts are already in use at a local cattle yard, demonstrating their durability. “Once people see how strong these posts are, there’s no going back,” Elliott said.

“We’re not just building a business,” Elliott concluded. “We’re creating a legacy — showing the world that real change is possible when we reimagine what waste can become.” To learn more about ZahnTech or to get involved, visit www.zahntech.com or call (605) 202-5192